Q.1 Which part of the ear is primarily responsible for balance?
Cochlea
Semicircular canals
Eustachian tube
Tympanic membrane
Explanation - The semicircular canals in the inner ear detect head movement and help maintain balance.
Correct answer is: Semicircular canals
Q.2 What is the most common cause of otitis media in children?
Bacterial infection
Fungal infection
Viral infection
Allergy
Explanation - Otitis media is commonly caused by bacterial infections such as Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Correct answer is: Bacterial infection
Q.3 Which structure separates the outer ear from the middle ear?
Cochlea
Oval window
Tympanic membrane
Auditory canal
Explanation - The tympanic membrane (eardrum) separates the outer ear canal from the middle ear cavity.
Correct answer is: Tympanic membrane
Q.4 Which cranial nerve is mainly responsible for hearing and balance?
CN V (Trigeminal)
CN VII (Facial)
CN VIII (Vestibulocochlear)
CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
Explanation - The vestibulocochlear nerve transmits sound and balance information to the brain.
Correct answer is: CN VIII (Vestibulocochlear)
Q.5 A patient with recurrent ear discharge likely has which condition?
Acute otitis media
Chronic suppurative otitis media
Otosclerosis
Presbycusis
Explanation - Recurrent, persistent ear discharge suggests chronic suppurative otitis media.
Correct answer is: Chronic suppurative otitis media
Q.6 Which of the following is a common symptom of Ménière’s disease?
Hearing loss
Tinnitus
Vertigo
All of the above
Explanation - Ménière’s disease is characterized by episodic vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus.
Correct answer is: All of the above
Q.7 What is the main function of the Eustachian tube?
Amplify sound
Equalize middle ear pressure
Transmit vibrations
Maintain balance
Explanation - The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx and equalizes pressure.
Correct answer is: Equalize middle ear pressure
Q.8 Which ear bone is attached directly to the tympanic membrane?
Stapes
Malleus
Incus
Cochlea
Explanation - The malleus is attached to the tympanic membrane and transmits vibrations to the incus.
Correct answer is: Malleus
Q.9 Which organism is a common cause of fungal otitis externa?
Candida
Aspergillus
Staphylococcus
Pseudomonas
Explanation - Aspergillus species are commonly implicated in fungal ear infections.
Correct answer is: Aspergillus
Q.10 Presbycusis is best described as:
Congenital hearing loss
Age-related hearing loss
Noise-induced hearing loss
Sudden hearing loss
Explanation - Presbycusis is the gradual loss of hearing associated with aging.
Correct answer is: Age-related hearing loss
Q.11 Which test uses a tuning fork to differentiate conductive and sensorineural hearing loss?
Weber test
Rinne test
Romberg test
Schwabach test
Explanation - The Rinne test compares air conduction to bone conduction to distinguish hearing loss types.
Correct answer is: Rinne test
Q.12 Otitis externa is commonly known as:
Swimmer’s ear
Glue ear
Middle ear infection
Labyrinthitis
Explanation - Otitis externa is an infection of the ear canal, often called swimmer’s ear.
Correct answer is: Swimmer’s ear
Q.13 Which bone in the middle ear is the smallest in the human body?
Malleus
Incus
Stapes
Cochlea
Explanation - The stapes is the smallest bone in the human body and transmits sound to the inner ear.
Correct answer is: Stapes
Q.14 Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is often treated with:
Antibiotics
Steroids
Antifungals
Decongestants
Explanation - Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is usually treated with corticosteroids.
Correct answer is: Steroids
Q.15 Which ear condition is associated with abnormal bone growth around the stapes?
Cholesteatoma
Otosclerosis
Labyrinthitis
Acoustic neuroma
Explanation - Otosclerosis is abnormal bone growth around the stapes leading to hearing loss.
Correct answer is: Otosclerosis
Q.16 What is the most common cause of earwax impaction?
Overproduction of cerumen
Small ear canal
Use of cotton swabs
Infections
Explanation - Cotton swabs often push earwax deeper, causing impaction.
Correct answer is: Use of cotton swabs
Q.17 Tinnitus is best described as:
Hearing loss
Ringing in the ear
Ear pain
Dizziness
Explanation - Tinnitus is the perception of ringing or noise in the ears without an external source.
Correct answer is: Ringing in the ear
Q.18 Which imaging modality is most useful for evaluating cholesteatoma?
X-ray
CT scan
MRI
Ultrasound
Explanation - CT scans provide detailed bone images and are useful for cholesteatoma evaluation.
Correct answer is: CT scan
Q.19 Which part of the cochlea is responsible for detecting high-frequency sounds?
Apex
Base
Middle turn
Oval window
Explanation - High-frequency sounds are detected at the base of the cochlea.
Correct answer is: Base
Q.20 A 6-year-old child with a 'glue ear' most likely has:
Otitis externa
Otitis media with effusion
Labyrinthitis
Cholesteatoma
Explanation - Glue ear refers to otitis media with effusion, where fluid accumulates behind the eardrum.
Correct answer is: Otitis media with effusion
Q.21 What is the main risk factor for developing noise-induced hearing loss?
Age
Repeated exposure to loud sounds
Frequent ear infections
Wax impaction
Explanation - Prolonged loud noise damages the hair cells in the cochlea, causing hearing loss.
Correct answer is: Repeated exposure to loud sounds
Q.22 A patient presents with a painless, pearly white mass in the middle ear. This is most likely:
Otosclerosis
Cholesteatoma
Acoustic neuroma
Tympanosclerosis
Explanation - Cholesteatoma is a keratinizing mass in the middle ear that can destroy structures.
Correct answer is: Cholesteatoma
Q.23 Which ear condition is most associated with seasonal allergies?
Otitis externa
Eustachian tube dysfunction
Otosclerosis
Labyrinthitis
Explanation - Allergies can cause swelling that blocks the Eustachian tube, leading to dysfunction.
Correct answer is: Eustachian tube dysfunction
Q.24 Which test assesses balance by asking a patient to stand with eyes closed and feet together?
Weber test
Romberg test
Rinne test
Hallpike maneuver
Explanation - The Romberg test assesses balance and proprioception by removing visual input.
Correct answer is: Romberg test
Q.25 Which inner ear disorder is commonly associated with viral infections?
Labyrinthitis
Otosclerosis
Cholesteatoma
Otitis externa
Explanation - Labyrinthitis is an inner ear infection often triggered by viral illnesses.
Correct answer is: Labyrinthitis